South Africa's Ruling Party, ANC, Suspends Former President Jacob Zuma

The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's governing party, has announced the suspension of its former president, Jacob Zuma.

Fikile Mbalula, the ANC’s secretary general, made the decision public, stating that Zuma and others who violate the party's principles will be excluded from the ANC.

Zuma, President of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, was removed from office amidst corruption charges and has since been at odds with the party. In December, he announced his support for a new party, uMkhonto We Sizwe, which shares a name with the ANC's historical military wing.

This move, coming before this year's general election where the ANC is anticipated to face challenges, highlights internal divisions.

The ANC intends to legally oppose the new party and reclaim its historical name, suggesting that its creation aims to exploit the ANC's legacy for an opposing agenda. This was discussed at a meeting led by current President Cyril Ramaphosa.